Maple Leafs trade Tlusty to Hurricanes for Paradis

The Toronto Maple Leafs have announced that they have shipped left wing Jiri Tlusty to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for the rights to center Philippe Paradis. Tlusty has appeared in only two games this season prior to the trade, scoring no points. He is currently assigned to the Hurricanes' AHL affiliate in Albany. In 74 career games, all with the Maple Leafs, he has 10 goals and 10 assists for 20 points. Paradis was the Hurricanes' first pick in the 2009 draft, selected 27th overall. In 66 games last season with Sawinigan of the QMJHL, he scored 19 goals and 31 assists for 50 points and 74 penalty minutes. This could be a decent trade for both teams. Tlusty has plenty of offensive promise, but failed to live up to it in Toronto. Perhaps a change of scenery will help him get his career back on track, and if so, he could become one of the top wingers on the Hurricanes at some point in the future since the team will likely start rebuilding this summer. Paradis has lots of offensive upside and toughness, which will give the Maple Leafs another talented center to help them rebuild their team.